Heinlein’s Stranger in a strange land

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Heinlein’s “Stranger in a Strange Land”
Introduction
Robert is viewed to be one of the paramount science fiction authors during his tenure and in the contemporary world. His prevalent novel, “Stranger in a Strange Land,” produced a counter-cultural revolt that has led to many factions being fabricated around his fictional culture that dares every axiom of humanity. Therefore, the writing influenced the acts of free love movements and the emergence of a sexual revolution in the society. The book is based in the future and acts as a counter-culture Bible. The author tells a story of Smith, an individual who comes to Earth in earlier adulthood after being born on Mars and parented by Martians. Heinlein explored the interaction of Michael Smith with terrestrial culture and his eventual transformation. Thus, the past’s future mystery depicted in the novel gives it a world sort of retro vibe.
Similarly, the author constructed the cultural and social mores of his future world through drawing on what would have been his imminent realm. The book created a counter-culture revolution that was centered on things like questioning the nature of the 50s, free love, individual liberty, peace, and questioning the actions undertaken by the government. On the same note, it made the populace to find an avenue of expressing all the things they feel the government was not doing right due to its discussion of issues in a bold and candidly style. The book became very influential as it made people borrow its phrases so as to express a new way of thinking about the society, culture, and life.

Therefore, this paper shall be based on Heinlein’s “Stranger in a strange land” so as to show how the novel formed a counterculture revolt, which stemmed in several worships being fabricated around his fictional ethos that challenges every axiom of the society.
The Discovery of Mike
Valentine Smith is viewed as the inheritor to a substantial affluence from his Mother, and Father as well as the vast fortunes of every crewmember who participated in the first exhibition to Mars. Larkin Decision affirmed that Smith is the sovereign ruler of Mars due to his stay on the planet for the allotted years. In the reading, Jill equates Michael to a divine spirit who had old, intelligent eyes in an entirely calm face, and an appearance of unearthly virtuousness (Heinlein, n.p). Thus, this implies that he is a babe in the covers and does not comprehend the model of deceitful before religion. On the same note, he reads many holy tomes and apprehends that the convictions are dissimilar. Similarly, he was brought to earth having not seen a woman in his life, but the doctors kept him isolated from women due to the fear that he may engage in rape cases. Finally, Jill comes to realize that Michael had never seen a woman before after she went to his room out of curiosity and had a conversation with him. Therefore, Smith makes his first water brother after pledging his life to Jill due to the love that had started to develop between the two personalities.
Liberty and Internment
Heinlein depicts liberty and internment as intimate units in his “Stranger in a Strange Land” despite many people viewing the two as direct opposites of one another. Jubal lives in what he views as a “Freedom Hall,” but he is restrained to his hermit-like actuality if he anticipates remaining unrestricted by his delineation of the act. On the same note, Michael goes to the realm so as to acquire acquaintance about humankind, but when he applies his autonomy and constructs the “Church of the All Worlds,” he is restrained to act within his interior sphere (Heinlein, n.p). Equally, the liberty applied by those in the systematic humanity like Joe Douglas can be observed as an allegory that leathers the internment of societal customs, traditional practices, and dogmatic regulations. Michael fails to free his followers from the societal constraints as he ends up creating a new constraint for them that confines them. Similarly, he finds more freedom on earth than the one he used to enjoy while in Mars due to the existence of laughter. Therefore, Heinlein’s novel seeks to respond to the question on whether a freedom free of confinement can be achieved.
David Koresh borrowed concepts from Heinlein’s novel when he generated the “Branch Davidians” cult under which he convinced his congregation that any individual not affiliated with him, and principally the U.S, were rivals of Deity. The cult was stereotypically founded on lies, terror, and blind faith. Koresh went ahead to proclaim that he spoke on behalf of God and he was a Messiah sent from heaven (Williams, 359). On the same note, he denied his followers the freedom to participate and engaged with those who were against him and confined them to the doctrines of his cult. Consequently, he applied his supremacy to participate in sexual affairs with his female cohorts and affianced in child molestation.
Tradition and Customs
The author of the novel explores the application of tradition and the impact it has on its characters. Michael is viewed to have found himself in conflict to the civilizations of humankind, and his Martian mind was not capable of comprehending why populaces would see stuff like anthropophagy in a different way than his perception. On the same note, his acquaintances are unsuspectingly under the sway of rituals that guides their deeds and puts them dissimilar to those of Michael for causes that they do not fully comprehend. In the novel, it is depicted that Jubal’s willingness to question the “common sense” and the reasoning behind traditional actions enables him to view beyond the tyranny of the custom. Similarly, his crotchety old mind attitude implies that he is in a position of telling everybody what is in his mind. Equally, Ben never altered his traditional ways after entering the “Church of All Worlds” since his way of life before entering the church tracked the same laws of voluptuous promiscuity and eccentricity. Thus, participating in the church only played the role of making him realize the facts that he held and strictly followed. Therefore, the pageant in the novel is applied to present a civilization that does not rely on customs since it purposes at unifying its traditions to those of the community that it visits.
Joseph Mambro and Luc Jouret relied on Heinlein’s application of traditions and customs when they created the “Order of the Solar Temple.” The cult was founded upon the traditional conviction that “Knights Templar” still exists and that redemption is only obtainable to transformed congregations who shall rise to heaven (Callaghan, 94). The cult’s undertakings are extremely secretive and based on traditions and customs that are unacceptable in the normal world. In 1994, the cultists brutally murdered an infant after relying on their traditions that viewed the infant to be an anti-Christ. Consequently, corpus suicides were witnessed under which cultists were shot, disillusioned, scorched and choked by their hand or the fingers of their bosses.
Rules and Order
Heinlein’s novel depicts on how rules and order prevail over the independence of human beings. The acts sound menacing, but their application does not hide behind scenes like some Illuminati-type of conspiracy groups. The rules take charge from the front line in the form of laws under the political, religious, and natural world. Therefore, people accept the rules because they provide a concealment of order, even at the cost of the liberty of a particular individual. Similarly, the conflict of Jubal and Michael on rules and order is not founded on a simple idea that laws are bad since Jubal has imposed rules in his house, and Michael has instituted rules his church (Heinlein, n.p). Thus, this shows that people get trivial in the novel only when rules are formed and applied for a personal purpose of granting a particular person power over another or impose limitations on a particular person’s freedom. In the reading, it is depicted that Joseph Douglas is entrapped in the political rules of the World Federation in an extra manner as compared to entrapment shown on Mike. On the same note, Madame’s astrology validates that the yearning for order will force populaces from different parts to adhere to rules and regulations that are aware of being bunk.
Consequently, Marshall Applewhite and Bonnie Nettles relied on the concept of rules and order to create the “Heaven’s Gate” cult under which its members alleged that insight and redemption could only be attained by absconding Earth before the “Great Recycling.” The leaders of the offbeat advocated the application of suicide as the answer for one who may wish to leave his body and attain insight since leaving Earth is slightly difficult (Jim, n.p). In 1997, Marshall swayed his cohorts that a spacecraft was sprawling the comet and those who trailed him to the death would receive redemption. Consequently, he ordered more than 30 populaces to undergo suicide in San Diego as he claimed that “Haley’s Comet” was the indication they have been waiting for a long time.
Similarly, the “Movement for the Restoration of the Ten Commandments of God” cult began in Uganda, and its cohorts alleged that the destruction of the realm was inescapable and would occur on “January 1st, 2000” (Mayer, 205). The leaders formulated rules for its members to sternly follow the Ten Commandments that were given to humanity by God. Consequently, their reverent nature to the Bible made them go to strange dimensions of not breaking any of the rules (Introvigne, n.p). The followers hardly conversed among themselves while some used symbols in their daily communication so as they would avoid giving false witness and go against the ninth decree. On the same note, they complied with their rules of abstaining from sexual relations and fasting on a regular basis.
Religion
In “Stranger in a Strange Land,” religion has been applied in two categories so as to create a counter culture revolution. The first form of religion is viewed as one that provides populaces with means of brotherhood and a tactic under which they can come together than they can on other social platforms like government and other institutions. The second type is one that applies the usage of rules and order so as to limit the liberty of its participants. An example is the claims that only certain forms of sexuality are acceptable and that only certain foodstuffs can be consumed on particular occasions. Conversely, Heinlein alleges that America has allowed organized religion and insane levels of constitutional freedom that has given its citizens much freedom than they can achieve on individual levels. Thus, this has made religious organizations to depict characteristics of a double-edged weapon since one religion can award its followers an act of liberty from social norms while another will portray a televangelist preaching and institute highly restrictive rules to its followers.
Similarly, it should be noted that the two religion varieties are not mutually exclusive in the novel. The Fosterites participate in ceremonies that bring their followers together in bonds of brotherhood, but they have instituted rules that put limitations on the freedom of its members such as controlling the social decisions that they make in their daily undertakings. In the novel, Mike does not view the aspect of religion or spirituality as a belief system but aims at applying it to craft an establishment that rules over the freedom of the populaces (Heinlein, n.p). Similarly, despite the different argument against many well-founded religious beliefs, the reading depicts the absence of actual atheists in its setting. Therefore, the various depictions under this argument show an existence of art that is imitating the life of many individuals in the novel and the contemporary world.
Scientologists relied on Heinlein’s application of religion when they created “The Scientology” cult that has hit the headlines with outrageous religious creeds and engagements. The religious doctrines have made its members undergo acts of brainwashing and attempts of financial ruin (Tuxen, 220). Similarly, its leaders apply the usage of threats and other dangerous methods so as to ensure they gain loyalty from their members. On the same note, the religion foundation of the cult has created a bewildering muddle of Martian sway and human essence. Similarly, it should be noted that many highly-paid actors in the contemporary world have joined the Scientology cult and they adhere to its religious doctrines and customs (Wallis, 96).
Sexuality
The author applies the usage of sexuality so as to create a counter-cultural revolution in his reading “Strange in a Strange Land.” Michael is viewed associating sexuality to his spiritual proverb that stated “Thou Art God.” According to Michael’s perception, dalliance is not an act that should be reserved exclusively for two individuals in a marriage that follows traditional customs. Thus, if sexual relations are one of the tactics of getting a knowhow about God, then the more one participates in the deed, the more he acquires a better indulgent of the diverse features of the existence of God. Therefore, this explains the reasons as to why the “Church of All Worlds” performs a less customary outlook on the aspects of marriage and sexuality. In the 1960s, the populaces used to relish this particular feature of the reading quite a bit. The text depicted women to be more sexually aggressive as compared to men in the society and this tries to explain why God anointed them with the role of motherhood. In the novel, Jubal tries to defend Michael’s Church through his arguments that sexuality should never be applied to hurt a group or an individual. Contrary to Jubal’s defense, Michael’s sexually advances made Ben undergo some bits of distress and harm and form the basis that made him opt for a quitting strategy. Therefore, this shows how the counter culture revolution challenged the axioms of the society.
David Berg depended on Heinlein’s concept of sexuality when he founded a creepy cult named the “Children of God.” The cohorts of the cult believed that having sexual relations with teenagers is not only an acceptable act but also a heavenly right. Consequently, this led to a widespread of sexual exploitation within the cult since young ladies were gyrated towards prostitution and used to bait new cohorts into the cult (Introvigne & Melton, 163). Similarly, Jim Jones, an earlier communist adherent who curved to be a Methodist priest created “The People’s Temple” cult that attracted a clique of spiritual extremists. The deprived and subjugated populaces clustered to him in multitudes so as he can support their quandary but the acts ultimately transformed into a bizarre cult. In the long run, Jones raged a war against the Bible and became more obsessed about a nuclear tragedy. He flew the U.S for Guyana where untiring sexual cruelty cases and corpus suicide instances were recounted among his parishioners due to the instructions that were given by their leader (Gessner & Levi, 257).
Identity
The author of the novel applies the usage of identity so as to give the Americans a sense of home, permit them to create bonds with populaces of like-minded identity, and enable them to make critical verdicts in their daily undertakings. In the “Stranger in a Strange Land,” it shows that when Michael first came to the Earth, he portrayed an identity and demographics of the “Man from Mars.” Thus, his journey throughout the book assists him to discover the relevance of being human and the implications of him encircling human characteristics so as he can find his identity. Consequently, he is in a position to discover his personality when he becomes the initiator and educator of the Martian language in church, school, a way of life, and bringing a group of like-minded individuals together with whom he would finally identify. It should not be noted that Michael was a special Martian since all Martians are acknowledged under a collective assortment while Michael was given an individual identity (Heinlein, n.p). Similarly, Heinlein’s application of the aspect of personality tries to advocate that identity and race are dissimilar from each other since the issue of the race of a character is rarely portrayed in the reading.
Consequently, Sun Myung Moon depended on the concept of identity when he created “The Unification Church.” He made his followers identify him as a heavenly creature that is worthy to be adored. The cult was incriminatory and reckoned as a danger to the people of Germany since it easily influenced the teenagers. The fact that “The Unification Church” considers Moon to be God, he relishes total backup on every word that he alters. The cult has been alleged of ensnaring teenagers into the wrinkle and dynamically aiming to detach them from their folks or upkeep structures (Ro & Chryssides, 401). On the same note, Moon continually talks against the Christian religion, and he anticipates to be treated as a divinity by his congregation.
Conclusion
The above discussion depicts on how Robert Heinlein’s “Stranger in a Strange Land” created a counter-culture revolution that resulted in many cults being built around his fictitious culture and one that challenges different axioms of the society. The book explores the various undertakings of Valentine Michael Smith, a human who came to earth in earlier adulthood after being born on Mars and raised by Martians. The paper explored the life of Michael and his relations with earthly culture and his subsequent conversion. Thus, it is depicted that Michael discovered a new religion that was composed of new ideologies of marriage, sex, and aspects of law and order. Towards the end of the novel, Michael portrays many traits of an outlaw as he is seen to be the initiator of a peculiar church that is situated in a domicile occupied by many sexual activities and nudity.
According to my analysis of the novel, I agree to the facts that the author developed the book so as to create a counter culture revolution. The different examples of cults in the contemporary world that have been discussed in the paper show on how the founders borrowed different concepts from Heinlein’s novel. On the same note, the acts performed by the followers of the various cults try to challenge the different axioms that are established in the society as their undertakings can be viewed by many as blasphemy. Finally, Michael performed a martyrdom that would provide him with an aptitude to take control when he dies so as to certify his place in the cosmos that is purported to be heaven. Therefore, this can be viewed as a wretched endeavor that aims at beseeching other populaces who occupy the Nest.

Work Cited
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Introvigne, Massimo and J. Gordon Melton. “Heaven’s Harlots: My Fifteen Years As A Sacred Prostitute In The Children Of God Cult:Heaven’s Harlots: My Fifteen Years As A Sacred Prostitute In The Children Of God Cult.”. Nova Religio 3.1 (1999): 160-163. Web.Introvigne, Massimo. “Tragedy In Uganda: The Restoration Of The Ten Commandments Of God, A Post-Catholic Movement”. Cesnur.org. N.p., 2016. Web. 11 Dec. 2016.
Jim, H. “The Heaven’S Gate Cult | Historic Mysteries”. Historic Mysteries. N.p., 2016. Web. 11 Dec. 2016.
Mayer, Jean-Francois. “The Movement For The Restoration Of The Ten Commandments Of God”. Nova Religio 5.1 (2001): 203-210. Web.Ro, Young-chan and George D. Chryssides. “The Advent Of Sun Myung Moon: The Origins, Beliefs And Practices Of The Unification Church.”. The Journal of Asian Studies 51.2 (1992): 401. Web.Tuxen, Elisabeth. “Disaffiliation among Scientologists; A Sociological Study Of Post Apostasy Behaviour And Attitudes”. International Journals for the Studies of New Religions 2.2 (2011): 201-224. Web.Wallis, R. “Scientology: Therapeutic Cult To Religious Sect”. Sociology 9.1 (1975): 89-100. Web.Williams, Joseph. “Memories Of The Branch Davidians: The Autobiography Of David Koresh’S Mother By Bonnie Haldeman”. Southwestern Historical Quarterly 112.3 (2009): 358-359. Web.